Surprise wild animals at daybreak, walk through the wooded grass lands of the Jura, eat by campfire and sleep on straw, this is the experience which Christian Pletscher, mountain guide and donkey driver, offers you for two or more days. To carry your luggage and keep you company, donkeys which you will learn to groom, saddle and lead. A "total nature" experience including, if you don't have vertigo, the chance to ride the "pendulum", a gigantic swing at the Bec du Grand Vez. The pendulum is available for a day or an evening all year long except during the nesting period of the Pelerine Falcons.

Situated in the middle of a magnificent park where Switzerland's hottest water (70 degrees) gushes out from a "hyper thermal" source tapped from a depth of 200 to 600 m, the center of Lavey-les-Bains has all the elements of seduction. Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, steam baths and saunas, this recently renovated complex combines, in a very contemporary way, health and fitness while keeping plenty of room for games. Multi-jet baths, invigorating showers, "Electro-gym" for those soothing moments or massage treatments from around the world for moments of relaxation. Another strong point: Lavey is two steps from Montreux, Martigny (the Gianadda Foundation, www. gianadda. ch), from the Yvorne hills, Aigle and Salines de Bex (www. mines.ch). An ideal place for epicureans on vacation or casual visitors.